Log debarking apparatus



Nov. 2, 1965 F. cs. FERRABEE LOG DEBARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 19, 1963 INVENTOR. FRANCIS 6'. FERRABE E ATTORNEY Nov. 2,1965 F. G. FERRABEE 3,215,176

LOG DEBARKING' APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

' FRANCIS a. FERRABEE 4 )l p r ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1965 F. G. FERRABEE3,215,176

LOG DEBARKING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 :zmm

BEEIIZEEHZ rmmxmm 20 I00 20 I00 20 I00 20 I2 INVENTOR. FRANCIS 6'.FERRABEE ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1965 F. G. FERRABEE LOG DEBARKING APPARATUSFiled NOV. 19, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FRANCIS 6. FERRABE E ATTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,215,176 LOG DEBARKING APPARATUS Francis G.Ferrabee, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Canadian Ingersoll-RandCo., Ltd., Quebec, Quebec, Canada, a corporation of Canada Filed Nov.19, 1963, Ser. No. 324,749 15 Claims. (Cl. 144-208) This inventionrelates to apparatus for abrading fibrous objects and more particularlyto an improved automated log debarking apparatus.

Heretofore, bulk debarking of logs has been performed by log debarkingapparatus of the conventional drum type.

The objections to and defects of conventional log debarking apparatus ofthe drum type are:

(1) Due to the heavy load of logs and the impact of the logs as they arecarried upwards and dumped one log upon another log, such drums areheavy, are subject to vibration fatigue, strain, wear and breakage; aredifficult to journal; and are expensive to build, install and tomaintain;

(2) Only about two thirds of the drum can be filled with logs andutilized as effective work volume; and

(3) Since the logs which are adjacent the wall of the drum are at restwith respect to the wall during rotation of the drum, the debarking ofthe logs adjacent such wall is almost negligible.

Other conventional log debarking apparatus are of the type in which acutter is utilized to physically cut and peel the bark from the log.

The objections to and defects of these other types of conventional logdebarking apparatus are that:

(1) Such machines are complex in structure; are not durable and requiredown time to sharpen or replace cutters;

(2) Such machines do not completely remove the bark and often wastevaluable wood in the logs; and

(3) Such machines do not efiiciently remove the bark when it is frozenon the logs and often damage the peeled log.

It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcomethe foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to prior artpractices by the provision of an improved automated log debarkingapparatus which:

(1) Maintains the logs in continuous rolling abrading contact toefficiently debark the logs;

(2) Is economical in labor and in power consumption;

(3) Removes bark from logs of any length, shape or diameter;

(4) Is simple, rugged and durable;

(5) Is low in initial cost, in installation cost and in maintenancecost;

(6) Substantially eliminates frequent shut down to sharpen or replacecutters;

(7) Completely removes the bark from the logs and does not remove ordamage valuable wood in the de barked logs;

(8) Is completely automated and capable of high debarked log production;

(9) Easily and quickly feeds logs to and discharges logs from theapparatus;

(10) Reduces materially the log load and log impact on the drum, therebyreducing the weight, vibration strain, wear and breakage in theapparatus, and simplifies the journalling problem; and

(11) Efiiciently removes frozen bark from the logs.

The aforesaid objects of the present invention, and other objects whichwill become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved byproviding log debarking apparatus for automatically debarking logs. Theapparatus comprises a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis andhaving an outside surface. Debarking means are disposed on the outsidesurface of the drum for debarking logs. Feed means adjacent the drum,feed rows of logs to the debarking means. The debarking means isoperable to rotate alternate rows of the logs in opposite directions infrictional contact with each other to aid the debarking means to debarkthe logs.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should behad to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of referenceindicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved log debarking apparatusof the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1looking in from the motor end; with the bed plate, motor and bearingremoved for clarity;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the feed means showing the guide meansthereon;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing an alternative embodimentof the debarking means;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are views similar to FIG. 2 of alternative embodimentsof the feed means and drum with the bed plate and discharge conveyorremoved for clarity;

FIGURE 6A is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative embodiment ofanother debarking means on the feed means;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the log conveyor utilized withthe apparatus of FIG. 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the drum.

Although the principles of the present invention are broadly applicableto apparatus for abrading fibrous objects the present invention isparticularly adapted for use in conjunction with the debarking of logsand hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

With specific reference to the form of the present invention illustratedin the drawings, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1-3, a drumrotatable on its longitudinal axis is indicated generally by thereference numeral 10.

In order to permit such rotation of the drum 10, a shaft 12 (FIGS. 1-3,5) projecting from ribs 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the drum 10 is journalledin bearings 16 and 18 (FIG. 3) mounted on a bed plate 20 (FIGS. 1, 3).The drum 10 is rotated in a desired direction, either clockwise (asshown in FIG. 1) or counter clockwise (not shown) by siutable drivemeans, such as a motor 22 (FIG. 3). Debarking means, such as a pluralityof straight or longitudinal staves 24 (FIGS. 1-3), are disposed on theoutside surface of the drum 10 for debarking logs 26 (FIGS. 1-3).

Feed means, such as the chute 28 (FIGS. 1-3), are disposed adjacent thedrum 10 for feeding a plurality of rows of logs 26 to the staves 24. Thestructure utilized for supporting the chute 28 is a frame 30 (FIGS. 1,2, 4, 5

The staves 24 rotate alternate rows of logs 26 in opposite directions(FIGS. 1-3) in frictional contact with each other to aid the staves 24in debarking the logs 26.

For the purpose of feeding the logs 26 to the chute 28, conveyor means,such as the conveyor 32 (FIGS. 1-5), is mounted on the frame 30 and isprovided with gate means, such as the pivotable gate 34 (FIGS. 1, 3).

So that the debarking operation may be speeded up, the chute 28 isprovided with another debarking means, such as the corrugated surface 36(FIG. 2) thereon to aid the staves 24. Discharge means, such as thedischarge con- 3 veyor 38 (FIGS. 1, 3, 4) are utilized for dischargingdebarked logs 26a (FIG. 1) from the apparatus.

In order to collect the bark 40 (FIG. 2) discharged between the drum 10and the chute 28, bark discharge means, such as the bark conveyor 42, isdisposed adjacent the drum 10 and the chute 28.

Referring now to FIG. 4 it will be noted that the chute 28 is providedwith a leading inclined tapered edge 44, which edge 44 serves as guidemeans for guiding the logs 26 being debarked by the staves 24 from rightto left as viewed in FIG. 4 along the length of the drum 10.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the combinationof the chute 28 provided with the corrugated surface 36 disposed at asuitable angle, of the proper effective rotational speed of the drum 10and of the slope of the tapered edge 44 on the chute 28 will deliverbarked logs 2611 (FIG. 1) in a steady stream at the same rate that suchlogs 26 are fed to the chute 28 by the log conveyor 3:2.

Alternative embodiments It will be understood by those skilled in theart that alternatively as shown in FIG. 5, the debarking means maycomprise spiral or helical staves 24 utilized to further urge the logs26 being debarked thereby along the drum from right to left as viewed inFIGURE 5.

In FIG. 6 the apparatus is provided with another feed means, such as thechute 28*, disposed on the opposite side of the drum 10 from the chute28 for also feeding logs 26 to the staves 24 thereby doubling thecapacity of the apparatus. Log retaining means, such as plates 46 and46a, mounted on frame 30 are employed.

In FIG. 6 the other debarking surface on the left hand chute 28 isalternatively a serrated surface 36 The plates 46 are provided withdebarking means, such as the corrugated surface 47, 47 respectively. Asshown in FIG. 6A the other debarking means may also comprise a pluralityof protuberances 45.

As shown in FIG. 7 two chutes 28a and 28b from opposite sides of theframe 30 and feed the logs 26 to individual drums 10a and 1012 The logconveyor 32 (FIGS. 7, 8) utilized in FIG. 7 comprises two pivotablymounted gates 34a and 341: for alternately deflecting the logs 26 beingsupplied along the conveyor 32 into chutes 28a and 2812 as desired.

When chute 28b has been filled and the logs 26 are in the process ofbeing debarked, gate 3411 may be closed (FIG. 8) and gate 34a openedthereby allowing logs 26 to be deflected by gate 34a into chute 28a Whenchute 28a has been filled, gate 34a may be closed and 34b opened asshown in dotted line position of FIG. 8 to permit filling of chute 28b".

In order to provide for additional bearings 16 and 18 (FIG. 9) to betterassimilate the log pressures and to prevent bending of the drum 10 suchdrum 10 may be made in sections 10:1 It will be noted that alternativelythe drum 10 may have protuberances 48 as the log debarking surface (FIG.9) as shown in right section 10a It will be recognized by those skilledin the art that the objects of the present invention have been achievedby providing an improved automated log debarking apparatus which:

(1) Maintains the logs in continuous rolling abrading contact toefliciently debark the logs;

(2) Is economical in labor and in power consumption;

(3) Removes bark from logs of any length, shape or diameter;

(4) Is simple, rugged and durable;

(5) Is low in initial cost, in installation cost and in maintenancecost;

(6) Substantially eliminates frequent shut down to sharpen or replacecutters;

(7) Completely removes the bark from the logs and does not remove ordamage valuable wood in the debarked logs;

(8) Is completely automated and capable of high debarked log production;

(9) Easily and quickly feeds logs to and discharges logs from theapparatus;

(10) Reduces materially the log load and log impact on the drum, therebyreducing the weight, vibration strain, wear and breakage in theapparatus, and simplifies the journalling problem; and

(11) Efiiciently removes frozen bark from the logs.

While in accordance with the patent statutes preferred and alternativeembodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and describedin detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. Log debarking apparatus for debarking logs and comprising:

(a) a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having an outsidesurface,

(b) debarking means disposed on said outside surface of said drum fordebarking logs, and

(c) feed means including a gravity feed chute having a discharge endportion adjacent the drum of approximately the same width as the drumand an inlet end positioned vertically above said discharge end, theinclination of the chute being sufiicient to cause gravity feeding ofthe logs to the drum in rows such that the rotation of a log in contactwith the drum is imparted to and rotates at least the adjacent logremaining on the chute.

2. The log debarking apparatus recited in claim 1 and having anotherdebarking means on said feed means for aiding debarking of said logs.

3. The log debarking apparatus recited in claim l and having conveyormeans adjacent said feed means for feeding said logs to said feed means.

4. The log debarking apparatus recited in claim 1 and having dischargemeans adjacent said feed means for discharging debarked logs from saidapparatus.

5. The log debarking apparatus recited in claim 1 and having barkdischarge means disposed adjacent said drum and said feed means fordischarging bark from said apparatus.

6. The log debarking apparatus recited in claim 1 and having guide meanson said feed means for guiding said logs longitudinally along saiddebarking means.

7. The log debarking apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said debarkingmeans comprises a plurality of longitudinal staves.

8. The log debarking apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said debarkingmeans comprises a plurality of helical staves.

9. The log debarking apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said debarkingmeans comprises a plurality of protuberances.

10. Log debarking apparatus for automatically debarking logs andcomprising:

(a) a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having an outsidesurface,

(b) debarking means disposed on said outside surface of said drum fordebarking said logs,

(c) feed means adjacent said drum for feeding rows of logs to saiddebarking means,

(d) said debarking means being operative to rotate alternate rows ofsaid logs in opposite directions in frictional contact with each otherto aid said debarking means to debark said logs, and

(e) feed means on the opposite side of said drum for feeding rows oflogs to said debarking means.

11. Log debarking apparatus for automatically debarking logs andcomprising:

(a) a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having an outsidesurface,

(b) debarking means disposed on said outside surface,

of said drum for debarking said logs,

(0) feed means adjacent said drum for feeding rows of logs to saiddebarking means,

(d) said debarking means being operative to rotate alternate rows ofsaid logs in opposite directions in frictional contact with each otherto aid said debarking means to debark said logs, and

(e) debarking means on said feed means for aiding debarking of saidlogs, said other debarking means being a corrugated surface.

12. Log debarking apparatus for automatically debarking logs andcomprising:

(a) a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having an outsidesurface,

(b) debarking means disposed on said outside surface of said drum fordebarking said logs,

(c) feed means adjacent said drum for feeding rows of logs to saiddebarking means,

(d) said debarking means being operative to rotate alternate rows ofsaid logs in opposite directions in frictional contact with each otherto aid said debarking means to debark said logs, and

(e) debarking means on said feed means for aiding debarking of saidlogs, said other debarking means being a serrated surface.

13. Log debarking apparatus for automatically debarking logs andcomprising:

(a) a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having an outsidesurface,

(b) debarking means disposed on said outside surface of said drum fordebarking said logs,

(c) feed means adjacent said drum for feeding rows of logs to saiddebarking means,

((1) said debarking means being operative to rotate alternate rows ofsaid logs in opposite directions in frictional contact with each otherto aid said debarking means to debark said logs, and

(e) debarking means on said feed means for aiding debarking of saidlogs, said other debarking means comprising a series of protuberances.

14. Log debarking apparatus for automatically debarking logs andcomprising:

(a) a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having an outsidesurface,

(b) debarking means disposed on said outside surface of said drum fordebarking said logs,

(c) feed means adjacent said drum for feeding rows of logs to saiddebarking means,

((1) said debarking means being operative to rotate alternate rows ofsaid logs in opposite directions in frictional contact with each otherto aid said debarking means to debark said logs, and

(e) retaining means on said feed means for retaining said logs on saidfeed means.

15. Log debarking apparatus for automatically debarking logs andcomprising:

(a) a drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having an outsidesurface,

(b) debarking means disposed on said outside surface of said drum fordebarking said logs,

(c) feed means adjacent said drum for feeding rows of logs to saiddebarking means,

(d) said debarking means being operative to rotate alternate rows ofsaid logs in opposite directions in frictional contact with each otherto aid said debarking means to debark said logs, and

(e) retaining means on said feed means for retaining said logs on saidfeed means, other debarking means on said retaining means for aidingdebarking of said logs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 109,199 11/70Gilpin 144208 201,938 4/78 Nickerson. 732,916 7/03 Bartlett 144-2081,281,155 10/18 Guettler.

FOREIGN PATENTS 181,464 11/ 62 Sweden.

WILLIAM W. DYER, IR., Primary Examiner.

1. LOG DEBARKING APPARATUS FOR DEBARKING LOGS AND COMPRISING: (A) A DRUMROTATABLE ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS AND HAVING AN OUTSIDE SURFACE, (B)DEBARKING MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID OUTSIDE SURFACE OF SAID DRUM FORDEBARKING LOGS, AND (C) FEED MEANS INCLUDING A GRAVITY FEED CHUTE HAVINGA DISCHARGE END PORTION ADJACENT THE DRUM OF APPROXIMATELY THE SAMEWIDTH AS THE DRUM AND AN INLET END POSITIONED VERTICALLY ABOVE SAIDDISCHARGE END, THE INCLINATION OF THE CHUTE BEING SUFFICIENT TO CAUSEGRAVITY FEEDING OF THE LOGS TO THE DRUM IN ROWS SUCH THAT THE ROTATIONOF A LOG IN CONTACT WITH THE DRUM IS IMPOSED TO AND ROTATES AT LEAST THEADJACENT LOG REMAINING ON THE CHUTE.